Victrola 8-35 Project Machine San Luis Obispo, CA Craigslist

[gemering]

Wondering if anyone here inquired about this 8-35 in need of help?
The listing is a month old.

http://slo.craigslist.org/atq/5020653562.html

Gene

[PeterF]

I picked it up today. Working order, complete except for one door knob, the needle cup, tungs-tone tin holder, and the crank escutcheon, and a bit beat up. The entire top has been belt-sanded for a lovely blonde finish.

None of the colorfully-spined albums, but a similarly-themed Sonora-branded album was included, in case any of you need one of those.

Now, I obtained this for its innards, so that I can restore my gutted 8-8 - using the horn, grille (maybe), tonearm and bracket, and motor (maybe). The cabinet is therefore available, so if you are interested, let me know. It's located in the SF bay area now, and I could probably bring it to CAPS in August.

[OrthoSean]

The grill might not fit in your 8-8, I'm sure you know it isn't the same design as the 8-35 one, I have a feeling they're going to be of different sizes, though I'm not home to measure. The motor from the 8-35 is four spring and the 8-8 uses a two spring motor. Still, it could fit, I've honestly never thought about it. The tonearm and horn will definitely work, they're the same in both machines. Good luck!

Sean

[PeterF]

Yes, that's all true. The grille certainly is a different design but by virtue of the horns being the same my guess is that it could work. That is why I said "maybe." The 8-8 grille is super basic and I guess I will eventually just make one. Or maybe just leave the horn exposed - only shows when listening anyway.

The motor will work and as a 4-spring would be an upgrade. The crank geometry lines up but the mounting bolts are different. But those holes are covered by the turntable so no issue there. But I hate winding, so will probably drop an induction disc motor in it.

[brianu]

Yes, that's all true. The grille certainly is a different design but by virtue of the horns being the same my guess is that it could work. That is why I said "maybe." The 8-8 grille is super basic and I guess I will eventually just make one. Or maybe just leave the horn exposed - only shows when listening anyway.

The motor will work and as a 4-spring would be an upgrade. The crank geometry lines up but the mounting bolts are different. But those holes are covered by the turntable so no issue there. But I hate winding, so will probably drop an induction disc motor in it.

I didn't think the 8-8 was ever offered with an electric motor. it definitely wasn't offered with a four-spring.

you might consider locating a beat-up 8-9, which is what I used to complete my 8-8 (which, when I found it, was just a completely gutted cabinet)... its grill can be modified very easily to look like the original on the 8-8 by just removing a few of the extra ornamental flourishes... and you can just use the entire motor and motor board assembly without any modification at all.

[PeterF]

You're right, on all accounts. I already have a nice 8-9, which arrived with no motor. I had a spare 4-spring lying around so dropped it in there.

Not sure what I'll do on the 8-8, either 4-spring or electric. Probably electric, giving up portability for utility (...those wheels!! But realistically how often am I really going to roll it around outside? Plus: extension cords exist).

I'm going to stick it next to the Credenza and do lots of comparison testing, and maybe the Credenza will go away as a result.

Funny, the 8-9 never made it into the house from the garage over all these years. I find the 8-8 much more attractive, so it's going to.

[OrthoSean]

I love my 8-8 and I play it often. What's fun is comparing it side by side with the 8-7, which has a wood horn. I actually have brought my 8-8 outside. It is very easy to move as is the 8-7, but the 8-7 is a tad more top heavy. You'll find certain records are going to sound better on either the Credenza or the 8-8, it's odd. I had thought my Credenza would be going also, but it's not.

Sean

[brianu]

mine totally replaced my credenza as the go-to machine... despite the smaller two spring motor (in mine, anyway), I just think the sound is far superior... and I've always had a fondness for all the school machines.